Sour Note

Does Chicago need an official song? Former Alderman Louis Farina has
long thought so. Embarrassed by the peppy, toe-tapping rhythms of
Chicago and My Kind of Town at official ceremonies, Farina pushed for
and got a city-sponsored contest to pick a more dignified ditty. Jane
Byrne, then Chicago mayor, offered $5,000 from her campaign funds as a
prize.

Last week the committee picked Song of Chicago Alive by Guitarist Jeff
Jacobs, 30, as the best of the 2,017 entries. Jacobs called the tune
"simple, adaptable." New Chicago Mayor Harold Washington rejected it,
calling it slow and none too spunky....